San Dimas teacher writes book, inspires student writers

San Dimas High School English teacher and author David Milbrandt signs a copy of his book for student Kirsten Lundquist, 14, at San Dimas High School in December.
(Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

San Dimas High School English teacher and author David Milbrandt signs copies of his book at San Dimas High School in December.
(Photo by Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin)

SAN DIMAS >> San Dimas High School junior Ryan Foster pulled money from his pocket as he approached the table where his peers, teachers, trustees and residents crowded around SDHS teacher David Milbrandt.

Foster chatted with Bonita Unified School District librarian Marilyn Williams and waited patiently to purchase an autographed copy of Milbrandt’s first novel, “Chasing Deception.”

Milbrandt, a former Daily Bulletin staff writer, “temporarily” left writing for his other love - education. But with the self-published novel, he has found a way to combine both careers and fulfill what he sees as a responsibility to inspire students and model excellence.

“I’m currently in Mr. Milbrandt’s English class and am writing a short story,” said Ryan, 16, a former victim of bullying in elementary school.

“Path of Hate,” Ryan’s first foray into creative writing, deals with bullying a sensitive loner whose anger results in negative consequences. His own experiences, and Milbrandt’s influence, helped Ryan develop a more positive perspective on life, showed him how to express emotions by writing and taught him the value of kindness, Ryan said.

Williams called Milbrandt a “campus celebrity” among students, staff and teachers. She bought two copies of “Chasing Deception” for the libraries at San Dimas and Bonita high schools. Milbrandt donated a second copy to the SDHS library.

“Creative writing is one of the things lacking in education today,” Williams said. “I strongly believe in teaching the humanities because it helps students with relationships and understand the ups and downs of life. It fosters imagination. Writing and reading are also just plain fun.

“This is a good book. I’ve read 25 pages just standing here waiting to get my copy autographed,” Williams added, clutching a copy of “Chasing Deception.”

Diane Koach, a BUSD trustee, arrived early for the booksigning in the school library. She got copies for herself and her daughter Katie, a former Milbrandt student now attending San Diego State University. Milbrandt inspired Katie’s writing efforts and ultimately named her editor of the school paper when he served as adviser.

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“This is an excellent way to show students what can be accomplished,” Koach said. Alicia Atkinson, SDHS counselor, echoed Koach’s sentiments and added he also showed them the value of hard work and persistence.

Milbrandt later laughed and rubbed his fingers when he reflected on the considerable hard work that went into “Chasing Deception.”

“This was a 15-year effort: five years to write it and 10 years to get it good enough to publish. When you see the typos, please don’t tell me. I don’t need to know,” he jokingly admonished colleagues and students prepared to read his murder mystery about two reporters investigating a religious con man with a deadly past.

Paperback and Kindle copies of “Chasing Deception” can be ordered, at $10.99 plus tax and shipping, at Amazon.com.

Milbrandt’s fascination with storytelling began as a junior-high student at Foothill Christian School in Glendora. He loved stories, reading and the magic of words in television shows and movies and envisioned himself ultimately creating stories for the world. He earned a bachelor’s in political science at UC Riverside and two masters - in Biblical studies and theology at Biola University and in political science at Cal State Fullerton - to broaden his preparation for writing and teaching careers.

Milbrandt joined the Daily Bulletin staff in 1997 as a City News news assistant and progressed to reporter before leaving in 2003 to teach. He taught journalism at California Baptist University and Cal State Fullerton, night classes at Citrus College and teens at Rancho Cucamonga High School before joining the SDHS faculty in 2006. He has taught world history, remedial English, journalism, social sciences and health; established enactments by SDHS teens for Lone Hill Middle School students in a “Journey Through History” project and served as the campus newspaper adviser.

“Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom during school hours,” Milbrandt said. “Learning, growing, thinking happens everywhere and throughout our entire lives. Sadly, I’ve heard too many people say ‘I’ve never read a book’ once they’ve left school. Reading, engaging in conversations, critically thinking and writing are part of the dynamics of lifelong learning.